Marian Coates Simons Martin

Marian Coates Simons Martin, 91, of Asheville, NC passed away on Friday, October 24, 2025. She was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia to Wilbur Johnston Simons and Dora Ethridge Simons who preceded her in death. Also preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law Wilbur E. and Nina B. Simons; her sister and brother-in-law Grace S. and James H. Rhoads, Sr. In January 1999, Marian retired from the VA Medical Center in Oteen. She was there for 28 years, with the last 17 years as an Administrative Officer in Nursing Service. She is survived by a son, Christopher Robin Martin; a daughter, Heather Grace Martin (Dale Coxe); and former husband, Robert Charles Martin. Marian and her husband built their first and only home atop a mountain in North Asheville, where they raised their two children and which is still the primary family home. Her hobbies included caring for her plants and flowers, caring for her pet cats – and tracing her family genealogy for many years. A graveside service is planned for Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Mountain View Cemetery in Black Mountain beginning at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road prior to the graveside service from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.